The year DaShawn Stephens and his buddies at Camp Ozanam won the Best Cabin Award, he was as elated as if he’d brought home gold from the Olympics or scored the winning touchdown at the Super Bowl.

When they won a second time, “Wow, it was like seeing my name engraved on the Stanley Cup,” recalled the 17-year-old, who has been going to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul camp for 11 years — each time better than the last.

It’s where he learned a lot, like the value of teamwork and that it took hard work and dedication to achieve his goals. Camp was also where he learned that doing his best was a reward in itself. Equally as important, camp was where a little boy grew into an independent young man.

“I just loved the environment and people at camp, but I have to say I was scared at first,” said DaShawn. “I was only six and had never been away from home or my mom.”

It wasn’t long before the counsellors and other kids at the boys camp made him feel at home. They were enthusiastic and made sure he was having a good time, so that DaShawn’s fears quickly melted away. Fun and games filled his days.

DaShawn’s adventures began at the former camp site in Orillia where waterfront activities such as paddle boating were his favourites. When the camp moved to the Boy Scouts’ site in Aurora, DaShawn loved hiking in the forest. “The property is so big and there’s so much to explore,” said the Grade 12 student at York Memorial Secondary School. “There’s always something new to discover.”

Though he liked all the activities as a camper, archery was at the top of his list. He remembered spending hours on the range with his bow and arrow, lining up time and again to take his turn shooting the target. “The only time I’d seen archery was in movies and on TV,” he said. “I was like Robin Hood.”

When he was too old to be a camper, DaShawn decided he wanted to give back to the camp that had taught him so much. Being a counsellor was also an opportunity to stay at Ozanam for a whole month — paradise.

He hasn’t missed a summer in 11 years. Fact is, nothing could keep him away, including the opportunity to play football should his Toronto Junior Argonauts club reach the finals, which would be during this year’s camp.

“I won’t be there because I have made my commitment to camp,” he said, adding a good counsellor puts the needs of campers first. To do that means “putting yourself in their shoes.”

Having been a camper for so long, he knows the important role counsellors play for kids who count on them to make camp an awesome experience. “Kids just want to have fun and be happy. They just want to be themselves,” he said. The same is true for girls who are at Marygrove Camp in Penetanguishine.

DaShawn won’t let anything stand in the way of his campers’ fun because he wants them to have great memories like he does. And when they do, they keep coming back.

It’s why he and the other counsellors return time and again. “Counsellors take pride in going all out when it comes to the kids,” he said. “I work my heart out for a month to make sure campers have fun and the best experience ever.”

Yes, it can be challenging, “but it’s an amazing opportunity to pass on my skills and it’s my time to give back to camp.” There’s nothing he’d rather be doing.

“Sure, I can do other things, but camp is where I want to be,” DaShawn said. “I see my friends 10 months of the year, and if I want to do something, I do it in July. “I’m at camp only one month. I wouldn’t miss it because I know I can make a big difference in a month in a kid’s life.”

With your gift, the Fresh Air Fund can help send 25,000 disadvantaged and special needs children to camp. If you have benefitted from the Fresh Air Fund or have a story to tell, email lferenc@thestar.ca or phone 416-869-4309.

Goal: $650,000

To date: $578,111

How to donate: With your gift, the Fresh Air Fund can help send 25,000 disadvantaged and special needs children to camp. The experience gives these children much more than relief from summer heat — it gives these children a break in life and memories to last a lifetime. Our target is $650,000.

By cheque: Mail to the Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund, One Yonge St., Toronto, ON M5E 1E6

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